Vietnam Motorbike Tours

The northwest is Vietnam’s most iconic riding country — a landscape of high mountain passes, terraced rice valleys, and Hmong and Thai hill-tribe villages that have changed little in generations. Routes wind over the Khau Pha, O Quy Ho, and Pha Din passes, through the valley towns of Sapa and Mai Chau, and out to the remote highlands of Dien Bien Phu. This region suits all levels: a gentle two-day valley ride or a full ten-day loop deep into the mountains.

Tours in this region: Northwest Vietnam Loop (8–10 days), Hanoi to Sapa (5–7 days), Dien Bien Phu (8–10 days), and the Mai Chau & Pu Luong short break (2–4 days).

Ha Giang is Vietnam’s most dramatic riding destination — a UNESCO-recognised karst plateau of jagged limestone peaks, cliff-edge roads, and remote Hmong villages rarely reached by tourists. The Dong Van Karst Loop is one of the most spectacular roads in Southeast Asia. Venture further east and the landscape opens into deep forested valleys, the thundering Ban Gioc Waterfall, and the pristine waters of Ba Be Lake. These routes suit intermediate to experienced riders and are where our off-road bikes truly come into their own.

Tours in this region: Ha Giang Off-Road Loop (8–10 days), Northern Border Loop 8D/7N, Northern Border Tour 6D/6N, and the Northeast Vietnam Tour (5–7 days).

For riders who want to go further and deeper, our grand tours combine multiple regions into one epic journey. Expect remote dirt tracks, high-altitude border passes, riverside homestays, and a level of Vietnam very few travellers ever see. These multi-week itineraries are the ultimate expression of what motorbike travel in Vietnam can be — unhurried, immersive, and completely unforgettable. Suited to experienced riders who are comfortable with full days in the saddle on mixed terrain.

Grand North Vietnam Off-Road Loop — 14 days from Hanoi: Ha Giang, the Chinese border, Ba Be Lake, the northwest loop, and back — the most complete northern Vietnam ride we offer.

One of the world’s great road trips, the Ho Chi Minh Trail follows the mountain spine of central Vietnam along the same jungle corridors that once supplied the wartime effort. Today it’s a route of extraordinary beauty — dense forests, dramatic river valleys, Phong Nha cave country, and the historic highland plateaus of Quang Tri and the Central Highlands. You can ride a week-long section from Hanoi to Hoi An, push all the way to Saigon, or cross the border into Laos for one of the most remote rides in Southeast Asia.

Tours on this route: Hanoi to Hoi An (7 days), Sapa to Hoi An (10–12 days), Hanoi to Saigon (12–14 days), and the Laos–Vietnam cross-border tour (12 days).

Not everyone in the group needs to ride. Our restored US Army Jeeps cover the same mountain passes, jungle tracks, and hill-tribe villages as our motorbike tours — just with more legroom and a great story to tell. The Jeeps are a hit with couples, families, and mixed groups where some members prefer four wheels. They’re also available as a lead or support vehicle on custom motorbike trips.

Jeep tours available: Ha Giang Jeep Tour, Mai Chau Jeep Tour (2–5 days), US Army Jeep Northern Loop, and Hanoi Countryside Day Tour.

Exploring Vietnam’s Riding Regions

Northern Vietnam is the jewel in the crown. The northwest loop takes you through Sapa’s terraced valleys, over the Khau Pha and Pha Din passes, and into the remote highlands around Dien Bien Phu. To the northeast, Ha Giang province offers the most dramatic riding in Southeast Asia — a UNESCO-recognised karst plateau of jagged limestone peaks, cliff-edge roads, and Hmong and Dao villages that see relatively few visitors. The Northern Border Loop connects both worlds, following remote tracks along the Chinese frontier via Ban Gioc Waterfall and Ba Be Lake.

Central Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Trail is a completely different adventure. You trade alpine peaks for jungle corridors, river crossings, and the echoes of history. The trail follows the same mountain spine that supplied the wartime effort, passing through Phong Nha cave country and the highlands of Quang Tri before descending to the coast at Hoi An or continuing all the way to Saigon. For riders who want to extend the journey into Laos, our Laos–Vietnam cross-border tour crosses the border at remote mountain passes that see almost no tourist traffic.

Which Tour Suits You?

We design our tours for a range of riders — from first-timers on their first multi-day adventure to seasoned off-road motorcyclists looking for technical terrain.

• Beginners and casual riders — start with the Hanoi Countryside Day Tour or the Mai Chau Pu Luong 2–4 day tour. Manageable distances, good roads, and a guide at your side throughout.
• Intermediate riders — the Hanoi to Sapa, Northeast Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh Trail Hanoi–Hoi An tours offer challenging mountain riding with well-graded roads and a support vehicle.
• Experienced and off-road riders — the Ha Giang Off-Road Loop, Northern Border Loop, and Grand North Vietnam 14-Day Loop include remote dirt tracks, river crossings, and high-altitude passes on our CRF250L and CRF300L trail bikes.
• Non-riders and mixed groups — our Ha Giang, Mai Chau, and Northern Loop Jeep tours cover the same incredible landscapes in restored US Army Jeeps — perfect for groups where not everyone rides.

Best Time to Ride

September to November is peak season for northern Vietnam. The summer rains have passed, the rice terraces turn gold for harvest, and mountain visibility is at its best — these are the most popular months for Ha Giang and the northwest loop. March to May is the second sweet spot: cool mornings, clear skies, and the countryside in full bloom before the summer heat builds.

The Ho Chi Minh Trail and central routes ride best between February and August, before the October–December rains hit the central coast. Vietnam is a long, thin country — there is almost always a great region to ride. Contact us and we’ll advise on the best current conditions for your travel dates.

Why Ride with We Ride Vietnam?

• Modern bikes, properly maintained. Our fleet of Honda CRF300L, CRF250L, CB500X, and XR150 bikes are regularly serviced and fully equipped. No creaking semi-automatics or mystery engines.
• Small groups, local guides. Our English-speaking guides grew up riding these roads. Maximum group size is 10 riders, so nobody gets left behind.
• Fully licensed and insured. We hold Vietnam National Administration of Tourism licence 01-774/2015/TCDL – GP LHQT. Your safety and legal compliance are never an afterthought.
• Flexible and custom. Every tour can be adjusted in length, pace, and accommodation level. We can build a completely custom itinerary from scratch if nothing off the shelf fits your dates or goals.
• Consistently 5-star rated. Over a decade of TripAdvisor reviews from riders across the world who came back saying it was the best trip of their lives.

Ready to ride? Book a tour, join an upcoming group departure, or get in touch and we’ll help plan the perfect Vietnam motorbike adventure for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need motorbike riding experience to join a tour?

Most of our guided tours suit riders with basic motorbike experience. If you can ride confidently on roads and simple dirt tracks, you’re ready. Shorter tours like the Mai Chau Pu Luong and Hanoi Countryside Day Tour are ideal for newer riders. The Ha Giang Off-Road and Grand North Vietnam Loop tours suit experienced or adventurous intermediate riders. Contact us and we’ll match you to the right tour.

What motorbikes do you use?

We operate one of Vietnam’s most modern fleets: Honda CRF300L, CRF250L, CB500X, and XR150 — all regularly serviced and equipped with panniers and toolkit. See the full specs on our Our Bikes page.

When is the best time of year to ride in Vietnam?

Northern Vietnam (Ha Giang, Northwest, Sapa) rides best September–November and March–May. The Ho Chi Minh Trail through central Vietnam is ideal February–August. Year-round touring is possible with the right route — ask us about your specific travel dates.

Are the tours guided or self-guided?

All standard tours are fully guided by experienced local English-speaking guides. We also offer custom self-guided itineraries with GPS tracks, daily route notes, and 24/7 phone support. Check our FAQ page for more details.

What is included in the price?

Tour prices include motorbike hire, English-speaking guide, accommodation, most meals, fuel, permits, and a support vehicle on longer tours. International flights, travel insurance, and personal spending are not included. Full inclusions are listed on each individual tour page.

Can I join a group or must I book privately?

Both options are available. We run scheduled small-group departures (4–10 riders) year-round — check the Join a Group page for upcoming dates. Private tours can be fully customised in route, pace, and accommodation level.

Do you offer tours into Laos?

Yes. Our Ho Chi Minh Trail Laos–Vietnam tour (12 days) and Northern Vietnam–Laos tour (14 days) both cross into Laos. All border permits and paperwork are handled by us.

Is travel insurance required?

We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering motorbike riding (up to 500cc), medical evacuation, and trip cancellation. Most standard policies exclude motorbike riding — check your policy carefully before booking. See our terms and conditions for full details.